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This is the travel blog of backpackers Rochssare Neromand-Soma (28) and Morten Hübbe (30) who met at the same university in Germany, where they both studied Literature and Media. They finished school in 2011 and started travelling immediately.

Their journey started with a trip to South America. They planned it as a six-month visit but ended up falling in love with the warm people and the breathtaking beauty of the region. It all started with hitchhiking (which is really common in Argentina and Chile) and enjoyed it so much that they kept travelling until they had discovered the entire continent.

They ended up staying back for over two years, and had by then, hitchhiked more than 50.000 kilometers, mostly with truck drivers.

On the way, they met a Frenchman who told them about his hitchhiking adventures in Europe. He went from Paris to Istanbul all in just four days. This impressed the couple enough to decide to hitchhike all the way from Germany to India.

Today, they are in Pakistan. And look forward to travel throughout the country before proceeding to their last destination.

Culturally shocked in Turkey

Coming from Germany, travelling through Asia is a quite unique experience from what we are used to seeing and feeling in our home country. There are various colours and odours, particular emotions and sensations that we had never felt before and we had to learn how to deal with them.

Everything is new, unknown and exotic. Even the sky looks different.

Pergamom, Turkey

Travelling as a backpacker might be challenging but it brings you closer to distinctive cultures and people like nothing else can.

Our first cultural disorientation occurred in Istanbul, Turkey. The Metropolis that literally connects Europe and Asia gave us some things to struggle with like chaotic traffic, never-ending crowds in the streets and different cultural behaviours, we knew nothing about.

We were surprised to learn that people would wear special shoes to enter the restroom, nod their heads up and down to say “no” (while we shake our heads to say the same – nodding means “yes”) and eating bread and kebab, all the time.

But, at the same time, we discovered a wondrous historical culture that we knew nothing about, beautiful art that we had never seen before – slightly different from European crafts. Even just wandering through the streets was an amazing experience. Vendors selling fresh fruits like pomegranates and oranges, all kinds of fish, vine leaves, Turkish Delights and an overwhelming quantity of spices and herbs. Walking through the food market piqued all our senses and we would often just stroll through the narrow lanes smelling, watching and tasting food.

Galata bridge, Istanbul

Last but not least, the hospitality. People we had never seen before invited us for tea into their homes straight from the street. As hitchhikers, we never waited for more than 10 minutes in Turkey before we got a lift. And strangely, people were proud of us. They called their relatives and friends to talk to us, they told us about different places in their country that we should not miss and they even invited us for meals or to board with their families overnight.

There were, however, some people who did go a little overboard, especially truck drivers. We were uncomfortable with their touching us. One guy even wanted to take advantage of a night drive and tried to rob us! But, luckily for us, he wasn’t a professional and hence, wasn't quite sure how to plan his heist.

Cappadocia, Turkey

We travelled across Turkey for almost three months. From the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, between modern cities like Izmir and Antalya to traditional ones like Urfa and Diyarbakır. We hiked along the Lycian Way, flew in a hot air balloon over the bizarre landscape of Cappadocia and visited the Whirling Dervishes in Konya.

Confused in Iran

Just as we had adopted the Turkish culture, we entered Iran. Where suddenly, we realised we couldn’t read anything anymore! The Persian alphabet surrounded us. However, the people got friendlier than in Turkey.

They had no idea what we were doing – the concept of hitchhiking is not common at all in Iran – still, every second car stopped to ask if we needed help and to direct us to the nearest bus station.

At one point or another, we would be surrounded by a lot of people, offering help or inviting us for a meal or an overnight stay. Some even offered to pay for our hotel room! There were, of course many who were just around us to 'look at the strange foreign couple with their enormous backpacks'. Needless to say, we attracted the attention of the police on occasion.

Waiting for security in front of the Iranian police station.

The most challenging part while hitchhiking in Iran was to convince people that we didn't want to use the bus or taxi. Trying to explain the concept of hitchhiking was perhaps the most time consuming of things; no attempt was ever successful. So, we invented a story. We told people who inquired that we preferred to walk and would only take a car if somebody offered us a ride. This little trick opened many a car door for us.

The Iranian culture, as we noticed quickly, is an extremely polite one. The most fascinating aspect of which is called “Tarof” (a kind of a ritualistic behaviour of offering and declining several times). It is used to ensure nobody loses face because he or she is not able to offer anything.

Tarof is a large part of daily life there. Imagine you are sitting in a taxi and you want to pay the driver. He would say something like, “You don’t have to pay me. There is no value in it”. But he knows (and you know as well) that you have to pay and he expects you to pay – still there are several minutes where you engage in Tarof – offering and declining, until, finally, you hand over the money. In the beginning, it appears to be a very polite and respectful activity but soon, it gets tedious. One can't help but wonder where they get the time to Tarof the whole day.

Being in public in Iran is effortless, so long as you can adopt the Islamic rules of the country. Hijab is mandatory, touching a woman is not allowed, and drinking alcohol is forbidden. Having a coffee in a restaurant with the other sex? – he or she best be a close relative if you want to avoid any uncomfortable questioning.

And then, there is a second, more private world inside Iran.

This is a completely different world, hidden deep in the underground. Going to a private house party is the perfect social experiment. Women entering totally covered, disappearing in one room and reappearing some time later with a lot of makeup, extensive hairstyles, backless tops and skirts just to impress a bunch of cousins. Looking pretty is definitely a high priority in Iran; to have a nose job is considered a status symbol. And when it finally comes to partying, people prefer high potential, self-made alcohol, and get wasted within half an hour.

The contradiction between the outside world and the inside world is so huge, that it is hard to believe that both take place in the same country (or even on the same continent). In this regard, we felt the tension among the people to be high and not everybody manages to handle that well.

Shrine in Qazvin, Iran

However, Iran is a lot more than obeying Islamic rules or not. It is a beautiful country with a lot of history. To this day, the Persian Empire remains to be an exquisite influence. At least in Europe: When referring to Persia everybody gets impressed – however, talking about Iran, everybody gets scared without truly understanding anything. But that is another story altogether.

On our way through Iran, we once decided to go out camping in the desert Dasht-e Lut (supposedly the hottest place on earth with the temperature rising up to 75°C in summer middays). During the wintertime, we expected a lovely night – watching a starry sky, surrounded by silence. Instead, we got a unique experience.

Camping in Dasht-e Lut, Iran.

Firstly, there was no starry sky because of a massive ceiling; we could not spot even one star. And then, just as we put up our tent, a massive sandstorm exploded around us. Inside the tent, we hurriedly tried to secure our belongings by pushing the tarpaulin against the wind, hoping it wouldn’t crush down our tent.

We struggled until 4am in the morning to just breathe in the blowing dust inside the tent. The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. Upon inspection the next day, we found what was probably more sand in our tent and belongings than in the entire desert around us!

Entering Pakistan

Finally, Pakistan!

Guard house, Balochistan

After about two months in Iran, we finally entered Pakistan by crossing Balochistan. We were escorted a good 400 kilometers before the Pakistani border by Iranian police and military. They were nice but serious folk, taking pictures of them or their bases was absolutely forbidden. They gave us the feeling that this border area was not fun at all. However, the Pakistani Levies? Such funny guys!

Selfie with security officials in Balochistan.

More selfies with security officials in Balochistan.

Here in Pakistan, it wasn’t us who asked to take the pictures first – it was them. And not only one – two or three sometimes up to five! They were singing songs in Urdu for us, happily serving tea and food while we waited for the next escort.

Even though cheerful, they had one finger on the trigger the whole time. The atmosphere was much more relaxed than in the supposedly safer areas in Iran. We shared pictures of our families and now, we are all friends on Facebook. The inconvenient part about travelling with the Levies was that it took a lot of time. For just 600 kilometers from the border to Quetta, we travelled two whole days, stopping every once in a while to sign a book and wait for the next car to pick us up.

With levies in Balochistan.

With levies in Balochistan.

While in Quetta, we were not allowed by the authorities to leave our hotel without any police security. The police did not bother themselves to show up, which was unfortunate because we had no food, and no money to buy any. After waiting several hours and and some starving, we decided to venture out on our own and it turned out that Quetta is a nice city to stroll around.

There is so much to see that we would never expect to see in Germany like donkey carts on the streets, rickshaws, interesting street food, traditional clothes and fully covered women...and men. People started talking to us and even if we were initially suspicious (because of all the police advice) it turned out to be very nice – more friends on Facebook.

Camels on the road, Balochistan.

In Quetta, we weren't the only ones curious about the new. At a restaurant one evening, all eyes were on us. Every single person stared at us, constantly. And nobody seemed pushed if that appeared to unsettle us. Some, for a better view, even turned their chairs around to face us.

They smiled at us, while we searched for a table, they smiled at us while we waited for the food and they smiled at us while we ate. Finally, somebody broke the silence and we started a small chat which abruptly led to: Are you married? Obviously an important issue in Pakistan – we are still frequently asked that question.

However, some decided to take it further: Love marriage or arranged marriage, they asked. As far as we know, there is no such thing as an arranged marriage in our country, to many, it is an unthinkable inquiry.

Lunch with security officials.

Railway station, Quetta.

We said goodbye to Quetta and took an almost 24-hour dusty train ride (on the request of security officials) forward, bumping and honking.

Arriving in Karachi, we looked worse than after the sandstorm in Iran! If this is to be the worst part of our journey, I'm sure we've got a handle on it. Here, we are able to walk around, for the first time, without any security and that is just great.

The people are friendly and helpful, always interested in our stories and so far away from the image of Pakistan that is projected by the Western media. We are extremely happy to be here and not for a minute do we regret not paying heed to the opinions of people who have never visited Pakistan.

Stayed tuned for the next leg of Rochssare and Morten's journey across Pakistan.

The views expressed by this writer and commenters below do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.

WOW!! Actually i am jealous for all the right reasons. Hitchhiking is the best way to travel. One needs to be patient though. ITs a motley of good and bad experiences, but in the end you end up being satisfied. I did hitchhiking for 6 months across India for a sum of 80K.

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aliMar 12, 2015 08:42am

good to see them in pakistan and enjoying.

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zak-i-chanMar 12, 2015 08:46am

And what will you realise in the end, their is no better place than home, home is where my heart is!!!!!!

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lilithMar 12, 2015 08:49am

Not visiting Bhutan , Sri Lanka, these are the most beautiful places in south Asia.

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AnoniMar 12, 2015 08:49am

Stay safe and have fun

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ninurthaMar 12, 2015 08:51am

So was it worth it travelling around the world, what do you plan to do after reaching your home , Germany.

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Samira JameelMar 12, 2015 09:06am

Well done Rochssare & Morten. Good to see people like you both travelling across the world. Let us know when you plan to come to Australia. Enjoy India.

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Positive PakistaniMar 12, 2015 09:08am

Would love to read more on this from you about Pakistan...about every city/place you visited....your experiences.......specially I would like to hear about Karachi, since i am a "Karachiite" (the term we use for the people belonging to Karachi)

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OptimistMar 12, 2015 09:08am

please tell me guys if you have visited northern areas of Pakistan? i would like to know the whole story of your visit here..

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RaoMar 12, 2015 09:09am

Bon voyage

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Just No OneMar 12, 2015 09:20am

Awesome

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ZafarMar 12, 2015 09:28am

Thanks for the kind words, means a lot to us the people of Baluchistan!!

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aftabMar 12, 2015 09:43am

Waiting anxiously for second part and reading experience in Developed part of Pakistan

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The Indian GuyMar 12, 2015 09:49am

Pakistan and India both are peace loving countries. I agree we do have many issues but we are working on that and moving forward.

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Die Hard PakistaniMar 12, 2015 09:54am

God have mercy -- brave souls. Well have a good journey and do enjoy a "real" drink or two while you are in Karachi and Lahore. You will find plenty.

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NMar 12, 2015 09:57am

I should say, its a very brave move that they did to travel into Pakistan, despite of the odds the country is facing now.

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PakistanMar 12, 2015 10:06am

From Quetta to India??

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RajatMar 12, 2015 10:08am

Excellent!!! Loved the pictures from Pakistan, it indeed is a lovely country and vulnerable but amazing people! I have not been to Pak but from what I have heard you should have visited Islamabad and Lahore (which I myself will do once in life), beautiful places both!
Anyways, now you are entering (or maybe already entered) India don't let the "rapist" tag affect you, just don't venture out too far away from people and at odd times. Rest assured, you will have the best experience you have had till date if you allow yourself to absorb all the emotions and local flavors!
On a more personal note, do visit the mountain areas of the north and backwaters of the south, people are very friendly and sights breathtaking! Since India is a continent in itself, it will take you more time here than all other places you visited. All the best, you guys are an inspiration!

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AhmadMar 12, 2015 10:08am

Very interesting blog. Welcome to Pakistan and I hope you will have a great time and experience here.

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Harish Kiran G SMar 12, 2015 10:17am

Lucky ones. Enjoy. And welcome to India.

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San ChakraborttyMar 12, 2015 10:18am

Nice post with some excellent pictures. Good to know that your next destination is India. Expecting your article on India.

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ConcernedMar 12, 2015 10:19am

Wow... Great Journey. Well, it did freak me out when there were men with AK47 in hand in the selfies !! Good luck Rochssare and Morten...

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AYZAMar 12, 2015 10:21am

Stunning pic of Turkey and its hot air balloons as well as lovely pic of the beautiful blue tiled shrine in Iran. The female could pass for a local : ) Nice expressive smiles of Pakistani border and army guys with the two backpackers.

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AnupMar 12, 2015 10:24am

Wow. Its just amazing. Hats off to you guys.. It needs real passion for travelling, zeal to see the world and of course courage to come out of monotones life and take some risk while travelling. Wish I could do even a fraction of this in my lifetime.. All the best for your future journey. Would be glad to host you in India.

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India ChangingMar 12, 2015 10:25am

I enjoyed reading this article cum blog....have a nice time...

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Nigerian ManMar 12, 2015 10:28am

Its good to know that Foreigners come to Pakistan.

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RAKESH RAZDANMar 12, 2015 10:33am

Eagerly awaiting your arrival in India. Welcome. But sorry, not many people will be curious about you. We get lot of foreigners roaming around in India. But helpful and welcoming, you will find plenty of them.

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rizyMar 12, 2015 10:33am

awesome! stay safe, keep blogging and enjoy your trip guys. I have travelled across europe while staying in germany and trust me when I say this, it is no match to the fun that I had while travelling in remote areas of Pakistan, the places are no fun but the people are the real FUN!

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KautiliyaMar 12, 2015 10:34am

I wish I was young again,
you are doing my dream journey
Good Travels,keep safe and keep us posted through
dawn

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SlavataMar 12, 2015 10:34am

Nice article and paints the a picture of the true and 'real' Pakistan which is fun, friendly and hospitable! :)

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DeepakMar 12, 2015 10:38am

Pakistani are friendly people. It's western media who writes bad about pakistan. Welcome to India guys.

Offtopic. Maybe photographers friends can comment.
Which lens do you think is used in the Balloons pic or the Police-guy-in-the-train-wagon pic? I reckon it is some sort of ultra wide angle prime lens ?
Thanks much.

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Divyo SinghMar 12, 2015 11:11am

Nice blog...good to know how beautiful and hospitable pakistan is...entirly diffrent from the imge projected by indian and western media.

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A KashifiMar 12, 2015 11:26am

It is pathetic, that people in Pakistan have to learn of the way of their immediate neighbours from people in EU. This reflect the colonial stranglehold which prevent us from one to one communications with people with geographical and historical links of 1000s of years of interacting peacefully and respectfully. Same situation exists with cultural exchange with China and CAR states. Never permitted to see their movies, tv shows.

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InvestorMar 12, 2015 11:30am

Happy to see tourists back in Pakistan. As a young child in mid 70's at Shikarpur Sindh, it was a common sight to see tourists from Europe either on bicycle or group of people on bus journeying towards India. As a child I used to speak in broken English to impress them. Good old times.

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ShaikhMar 12, 2015 11:35am

finally something go0d about Pakistan and Karachi....

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N.SMar 12, 2015 11:36am

With rugged, rustic beauty of Baluchistan and the most hospitable people on earth. Stunning pictures...do go to northern areas, Gilgit baltistan, Chitral Hunza and other beautiful areas of Pakistan.

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NMar 12, 2015 11:42am

it must be a brave attempt to visit the Pakistan that too hitchhiking in the current turmoil that Pak is going in.

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Nemo the no one Mar 12, 2015 11:47am

Well come to India Rochssare Neromand-Soma and Morten Hübbe. Here you will discover an entirely new world. No one will restrict you to visit any place you wish. What ever you already have experienced during your journey, you will once again discovered those things in India and more. So be excited to enter in India. Have a nice stay here . All of a sudden I discover myself among them. I wish I could visit Pakistan one day like a nomad does.

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Akhtarali Mar 12, 2015 11:50am

Hi! Have fun and see the world. Until you see with your own two eyes, one cannot fathom the reality.

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SyedMar 12, 2015 11:58am

Welcome to Pakistan, Please be safe and enjoy hospitality of ordinary Pakistanis. We will amaze you. If you need a place to stay in Karachi write back at spib1971@gmail.com I and my wife would love to be your hosts and show you around. We are retired, have all the basic amenities, lots of time and a huge heart. Love Salma and Khalid.

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Abdul Rauf Mar 12, 2015 12:09pm

Wao Wao...Deutsch are considered serious beings but our hitchhikers are truly jolly and friendly ones..best of luck

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WaseemMar 12, 2015 12:19pm

Morten Menigmand, very good travel blog. I love reading it specially about Iran. Please do comment on Karachi and rest of Pakistan's experience. Waiting anxiously for the next episode of your travel blog.

Dawn News please convince and follow up Mr. Morten Menigmand for writing the remaining story of Pakistan's visit.

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Wasif MMar 12, 2015 12:36pm

Its nice to see that they have chosen this region for their travel, away from hustle and bustle of busy metropolis smaller towns offer a lot of new things which are otherwise not known. I wish they start writing about their travel experiences as it will be extremely helpful for others who wish to take the same route.

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K.R.DikshitMar 12, 2015 12:40pm

It was interesting reading the travel accounts of the two German youths. It appears to me that they did not prepare in advance and started off on an adventurous journey. They seem to observe , comment and even write well. Would be interesting to read the voluminous account of their travel , once they have finished their journey through India.

Pakistan is a very fascinating country, but the recent spate of voilence has marred the image of the country. Who would not like to experience the wilderness of Balochistan, the bcrowd in Karachi with multiple bethnicity and thge Queen city of Lahore with all its history, hospitality and the literary and cultural appeal.

Offtopic. Maybe photographers friends can comment.
Which lens do you think is used in the Balloons pic or the Police-guy-in-the-train-wagon pic? I reckon it is some sort of ultra wide angle prime lens ?
Thanks much.

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Nazish JamiMar 12, 2015 12:55pm

It was indeed interesting to read it all about their journey. I am glad to see that people change their views about our country once they actually happen to experience the life over here. No doubt our people have a loving heart filled with hospitality.
I hope and pray that this negative image of our country gradually grows faint and ultimately disappear from the minds of the foreigners.

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Fahad MajeedMar 12, 2015 01:23pm

We welcome you from the core of our hearts. Hope you are enjoying your journey. I want to meet you people to share some more things about Balochistan and Pakistan. Heres my email address fm_baloch@yahoo.com. Feel free to contact me. Have a safe and memorable journey ahead.

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FarooqMar 12, 2015 01:37pm

Quite fascinating journey. Welcome to Pakistan and thank you for visiting us!

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Jawwad RinchMar 12, 2015 01:43pm

Welcome to Pakistan.
Please feel free to drop in at anytime. I will be more than happy to have you in my house.

Contact: +923132194703.

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FaisalMar 12, 2015 02:03pm

Baluchistan to Karachi and leaving out the Northern areas, the most beautiful part of the country ? What about visiting Lahore or Multan to see teh rich culture Pakistan has to offer. My advice is to stay to come back to Pakistan from India and visit these places!!!

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BacteriaMar 12, 2015 02:09pm

Thanks God. Now people are thinking differently of Pakistan. We all should bring into lime light the soft image of Pakistan so that tourism may develop and prospers here like in 60's and 80's.

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UMar 12, 2015 02:16pm

Its really nice to know, and would be glad to host you in Lahore.

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UtpalMar 12, 2015 02:36pm

Thanks to Dawn for publishing such a good article. I had also a plan to do the same trip starting from Kolkata to London by bicycle. But from newspaper it forced me to believe that Govt. officials may not be very friendly to Indian there, though I don't have any doubt regarding the warm heart of common people. I wish a very good experience of travelling of two hitchhikers in both the countries.

...so far away from the image of Pakistan that is projected by the Western media! Thats the bottom line all experts of Pakistan has never visited Pakistan.

Welcome to Pakistan and you will see more hospitality of people of Pakistan as you travel north from Karachi! you are few days from India now.

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AsadMar 12, 2015 04:08pm

expect to listen "lahore lahore hai" from you people ,after visiting lahore.

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Muhammad BilalMar 12, 2015 04:32pm

Exotic

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RajatMar 12, 2015 04:42pm

@atif thank you sir, an invitation from there is privilege enough, I hope I get to visit Lahore one day (my grandpa is from Ferozpur near lahore and grandma from quetta), so I have all the more reasons!

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RajatMar 12, 2015 04:42pm

sorry ferozewala , not ferozpur

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realismMar 12, 2015 04:48pm

@GREEN JAGUAR Rooh Afja is pakistan's national drink ? its brand name i guess from hamdard.

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Surinder SainiMar 12, 2015 05:18pm

Awesome, people are always wonderful in every country!

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FreedMar 12, 2015 05:24pm

Great blog guys, but please check your geography. When you write Caspian Sea to Mediterranean Sea, you probably mean Black Sea to the Med. Turkey does not touch the Caspian Sea at all.

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Adnan Turab AliMar 12, 2015 05:50pm

yes good to hear such brave journeys. I am happy that they know that Pakistan is not that they heard from western media.

we are loving people.:)

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TamilMar 12, 2015 06:09pm

Pakistani's appear so hospitable. Balochis seem so contented. why we in India are told wrong information. It look like pakistan is very different and look like different people and culture. For us visiting pakistan will be like visiting Afghanistan or Iran or China-so different.

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Goga NalaikMar 12, 2015 06:34pm

Loved this blog.
When you reach back home, please do write about Pakistan

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ShMar 12, 2015 07:12pm

Do visit the beautiful desert of Thar, Makli, Ranikot and Kotdigi

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StringMar 12, 2015 07:20pm

Pakistan and its people are so beautiful . I am proud to lived in Pakistan with such love and happiness. Although its hard to find in urban but in country side

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BRRMar 12, 2015 07:39pm

@Tamil
The grass might seem green, but wait until you show up and tell them you are a Hindu or Indian or something, and then hope you come out alive. Don't forget 5000 or more hindus are still fleeing every year from Pakistan - because they have such fantastic hospitality that they cannot take it anymore.

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GuruMar 12, 2015 07:52pm

While the writeup is quite fascinating, it feels like a trip report from the 1970's.

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SidMar 12, 2015 08:24pm

amazing way to travel the world. I wish I could!

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TamilMar 12, 2015 08:31pm

@BRR but in Dawn they showed muslims made human circle around Hindus, so they allow celebrate Diwali. Also both community in thar live peacefully togather.

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ZAKMar 12, 2015 09:23pm

All the while I was reading this article, I was holding my breath. Finally the last picture relieved the stress.

Hope you always stay safe! Sometimes one likes to imagine a world with no borders.

Just listen to this song by late John Lennon:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwUGSYDKUxU

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FutureWizardMar 12, 2015 11:05pm

As usual great stuff by Dawn. Indians are you listening, treat them nicely. Dawn if you could post their facebook page, I'm sure folks from India will assist in every step. Stay safe...

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ZakMar 12, 2015 11:06pm

@ZAK lucky they not visiting Indian occupied Kashmir, otherwise the indian army would have done to them what they do to kashmiris every day. Btw kashmiris will like the song because their own country will be united without Loc, all part of pakistan.

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dineshMar 12, 2015 11:40pm

Nice travelogue guys. Welcome to India. Try coming to Chennai, Detroit of India. By the way this is the first time I heard something pleasant about Pakistanis.

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PrabhatMar 13, 2015 12:01am

Wow! My perception of pak changed with this post.. People seem to be very friendly.. Sadly, the troublemakers take the limelight and give a bad name to ur country. Anyway, I hope in future, we set aside our mutual enmity to be good friends and strive for the betterment of our masses..

Also, I wish to welcome both of u to India.. Hope u guys enjoy the stay here.. All the best.

Regards,
An indian

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dineshMar 13, 2015 12:01am

OMG. Spelling mistake in that 'Wel(l)come to Pakistan' board ;-)

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muhammad ramzanMar 13, 2015 12:26am

wawo how it is wonderful and expendable feelings

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An IndianMar 13, 2015 12:28am

Entered Pakistan.. Good luck.. Stay Alive, Dont do anything, just nothing or you will be hiked above sky..

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pakistani Mar 13, 2015 12:57am

Have a safe and lovely journey guys, all the best.

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atifMar 13, 2015 01:19am

@Rajat well, my folks lived in chennai and hyderabad and i have visited those places

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TanBhartiyaMayMar 13, 2015 01:58am

A 'Billion Likes' from the billion plus beautiful people of Bharat (India) for the final pic! :-)

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saadMar 13, 2015 07:09am

@Tamil Yes buddy, Pakistan is culturally diverse and pretty different from India, especially Western Pakistan i.e Balochistan and KhyberPukhtunkhwa , Indian Punjab shares similarity with Pakistan's Punjab, still there are significant cultural differences even between both Punjabs, Indian media always gives wrong impression about Pakistan, its culturally unique and different from all its neighbours

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GautamMar 13, 2015 07:12am

@Muradabadi

You should write about your adventures in Dawn, so that we can share your experiences!! Would be very interesting, 6 months on the road?

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KaamMar 13, 2015 07:28am

Did anyone notice the Spelling of Welcome at the immigration post :-) Can someone please tell them there only one "L" in Welcome.

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IbbyMar 13, 2015 08:12am

Great Travel article. Back in the 1990s when I was a student and frequently fly from New York to Pakistan on PIA, the plane used to stop over in Frankfurt, Germany, and normally a few dozen German tourists heading to K-2 used to board the PIA. It was a very common sight. German are very resilient and tough nation. I was a teenager back then and asked one of the German tourists what BMW stood for, he replied Bayerische Motoren Werke. Jokingly I replied in New York it stand for Black Man's Wish, which I heard from some American movie dialogue, and German tourist found it very funny.

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darooj kumarMar 13, 2015 10:13am

wow!!! hitchhiking EXPERIENCE amazing...

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Passu Peak InnMar 13, 2015 11:20am

Okay great,I would like to recommend you to visit the northern part of Pakistan especially Gilgit Baltistan which is totally safe and as well as the most fabulous part of Pakistan. Here you can find a varieties of thing such as the huge mountains range of Karakorum, Himalaya and Hindu kush apart from this you can find beautiful landscape and varieties of cultures and historic places. The peoples of the valleys are also very kind.
Wishing you best of luck from the mountainous communities of Pakistan Gilgit Baltistan

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EvelynMar 13, 2015 02:16pm

Pakistan is great country and not like media tell. i hv been to hunza and this part of northern areas pakistan is the most beautiful part i hv ever seen in my live. Unfortunately media completely destroy the image of pakistan coz many years back i think there were many tourists. I hope it will be like it had been before 9/11, good luck for your further trip

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karthik cmouliMar 15, 2015 05:43pm

Welcome to India..hitchhiking is a wonderful experience and India, like the rest of the world has a lot on offer. Don't forget to visit us when you get down to India..

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HassanMar 15, 2015 08:02pm

@An Indian : well now they are in India. Hope that they stay safe, especially the lady.....

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GazalaMar 19, 2015 07:38am

I am so glad you travelled through Pakistan. I am from Karachi and I was happy to hear of your wonderful experience in Karachi. We are looking forward to reading about your experience in India as I also enjoyed visiting India.